GAVIN O’Hare has won the Newcastle and District St Mary’s Snooker Club Championship with a pulsating display of snooker to defeat Sean McDonald 2-1.
Gavin got off to the perfect start in the opening frame to take an early lead despite the balls running awkwardly. This momentum held for most of the frame, as Gavin managed to keep extending his lead with small contributions. Sean tried in vain to claw the points back but the table layout was not favourable for scoring and he eventually lost the frame 71-29.
Gavin started the second frame in bold fashion, taking on and getting some risky pots, but on this occasion, Sean did have some answers and managed to stay in the frame until the final colours. After a tense safety battle on the yellow, Gavin finally got an opening to further his lead. After potting the yellow, green and brown, he was 18 points in front with 18 points remaining on the table.
Sean showed his fighting spirit by potting blue and pink to bring the frame down to the black. A further safety exchange was followed by a pot attempt on the black from Gavin which failed to find its target, allowing Sean to drop the black in to force a re-spot. With tensions high and both players under pressure, Sean was presented with a tricky pot to the middle pocket, which he executed perfectly to win the frame, restore parity at 1–1, and force a deciding frame.
For the first time in the match, Sean looked to be gaining control but a missed black off the spot on a 28 break opened the door for Gavin to allow a counter attack. Breaks of 29 and 26 in quick succession from Gavin swung the momentum in his favour. With three reds remaining, Gavin once again took them with three colours to win the match strongly, as Sean offered his hand in concession.
Many thanks to all the club members who supported the tournament and to those who came out to cheer on both players during the final.
